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Assistive Technology for Distance Learning: Annotating Texts

A guide providing links to resources and materials for educators so they may better support students with assistive technology needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Annotating Texts

Working with online texts and PDFs can sometimes be frustrating because you cannot just circle and highlight as you used to with traditional paper. Or can you? These tools help you highlight and mark your files and documents even digitally.

TextHelp PDF Reader

As part of Read&Write for Google Chrome extension, with the TextHelp PDF Reader you can use the literacy and accessibility support tools. You can sign up for 30-day trial on Google Chrome Extension. TextHelp PDF Reader has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.

Kami Extension

Kami Extension is a PDF, document, and annotation markup tool. Basic features include highlight, underline, strike-through, comment, draw shapes, freehand drawing with stylus, support for iOS and Microsoft files. It is available on most platforms. Kami Extension has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.

Zoom for Google Chrome

With Zoom for Google Chrome, you can zoom in and out of websites, up to 400%. All features are free and the tool is available on most browers. Zoom for Google Chrome has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.

ClaroPDF

ClaroPDF will let you annotate, mark up, and save PDF files. The program will also read the text aloud. It is available on most platforms.

ClaroPDF has not currently pledged compliance with the Connecticut Student Data Privacy law. Please contact in-district personnel to set up the Data Privacy Pledge with this company.

Natural Reader

Natural Reader reads most types of files aloud for you. It offers an unlimited use with free voices and supports most files. It is available on most computer and laptop platforms. Natural Reader has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.

BeeLine Reader

The BeeLine Reader displays text using color gradients to facilitate visual tracking. They offer free access to the BeeLine Reader Browser Plugin for Chrome through September 2020. BeeLine Reader has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.  Email education@BeeLineReader.com and they will send you a free account for you and your students.

Hypothesis - Web and PDF Annotation

Hypothesis - Web & PDF Annotation lets you collaboratively annotate, highlight, and tag web pages and PDF documents. All features are freely available on Google Chrome Extension. Hypothesis has also pledged compliance with the CT Student Data Privacy law.

Weava Highlighter

With the Weava Highlighter you can highlight most websites and PDF files with multiple colors. You can use up to 5 fixed colors, export to Word, Excel, CSV, TXT. It is available on Google Chrome Extension.

Weava Highlighter has not currently pledged compliance with the Connecticut Student Data Privacy law. Please contact in-district personnel to set up the Data Privacy Pledge with this company.